Author Archives: Rinaldo Del Gallo

Running as a ‘Bernie Sanders progressive’ By Jim Therrien 05/29/2016 PITTSFIELD — Democratic primary candidate Rinaldo Del Gallo III wants to make it clear from the start what kind of campaign he will run for the state Senate seat representing Berkshire County. “My general theme is, I am running as a Bernie Sanders progressive,” he said during an interview. “It was one of the first decisions I made. I wanted people to be able to know in an instant what type of platform that I had.” Del Gallo added, “There has been a lot of discussion about what Read more…

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 The timing could not be more unfortunate. Just when NASA have just announced that the earth is heating faster than any other time in the last 1,000 years, Rinaldo Del Gallo’s opponents for state senate (Adams Hinds and Andrea Harrington) say that they are against wind energy here in the Berkshires. It was the first time this came out during the campaign. Noted Del Gallo, “I was absolutely stunned that both did not support wind energy here in the Berkshires.” Last night, on Tuesday, at August 1st, at a forum at the Senior Center in Read more…

Tuesday, August 30, 2016 Adams Hinds has completely flip-flopped on the minimum wage. But rather than characterize his stances, I have taken the time to provide exact quotes taken from two different debates. Both Adams Hinds and Andrea Harrington declined to attend a fight for $15 rally held at Park Square in Pittsfield by Manos Unidas held in the spring. Rinaldo Del Gallo was the only candidate to attend. At a forum in Becket, on June 21st, moderator Smitty Pignatelli’s exact question was, “Do you support an immediate and across the board $15 minimum wage?” Read more…

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT of a forum in Becket, June 21, 2016, sponsored by the Becket Democrats. 1:50:16 into the forum: SMITTY PIGNATELLI: We have one more question [he misspoke, two questions] before closing statements. . . I have two quickies. And they are just simple “yes” or “no” answers. And we will start with Andrea. Do you support an immediate and across the board $15 minimum wage? [Note: When Rep. Smitty Pignatelli asked the question, the term $15 minimum wage was modified with the words “immediate” and “across the board.” He spoke loudly and clearly.] Andrea Harrington: Yes. Smitty Read more…

Aiming to ban plastic bags, Pittsfield takes cues from other towns By Jim Therrien 08/16/2016 PITTSFIELD — The Green Commission, which is considering a recommendation to the City Council on an ordinance banning single-use plastic shopping bags, heard Monday from officials who have gained experience in passing similar bans in Lenox and Lee. The commission also heard from Rinaldo Del Gallo, who submitted the proposal in 2014. An attorney, Del Gallo told commissioners he would volunteer to draft an ordinance “if you tell me what you want.” The commission undertook a similar review of a Del Gallo proposal Read more…

By RICHIE DAVIS For the Gazette Wednesday, August 17, 2016 POLITICS ELECTION edpick State Senate Massachusetts EDITOR’S NOTE: Three Democrats will compete in the primary election Thursday, Sept. 8, for the Berkshire-Hampshire-Franklin-Hampden state Senate seat being vacated after 10 years by Sen. Benjamin Downing. The chosen Democrat will run against Republican candidate Christine Canning of Lanesborough, who has no primary opponent. This is the first of three candidate profiles. Rinaldo Del Gallo, one of three Democrats running for the Berkshire-Hampshire-Franklin-Hampden state Senate seat, boldly refers to himself as “a Bernie Sanders progressive,” even after the presidential hopeful lost his nomination Read more…

By Rinaldo Del Gallo, III Posted: 08/07/2016 PITTSFIELD I am running for state senator as a Bernie Sanders progressive. Whenever you hear Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or I speak at length, our speeches invariably start on the subject of wealth disparity. It is the first issue on Sanders’ website. By contrast, I have never heard my two Democratic opponents use the term “wealth disparity,” “wealth inequality,” or otherwise significantly address the topic. America is not a poor country. Nor is Massachusetts a poor state. When our friends and neighbors who are barely keeping their heads above water surround Read more…

The Berkshire Brigades has scheduled a Democrats only state senate debate tomorrow, Thursday, August 11, 2016, 7-9 pm. It will be at the Boland Theater at Berkshire Community College. (1350 West St, Pittsfield, MA 01201 for your GPS).

While I certainly can understand the case for a Super Wal-Mart, and I can see why Adam Hinds is unwilling to ruffle the feathers of the mayor, I think it is possible to show respect for the mayor but stand-up for an issue that will have serious consequences on the regional economy. Unlike Mr. Hind’s position in Becket, I am opposed to the Super Wal-Mart at PEDA.